Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is perhaps one of the most respected organizations when it comes to health care during pregnancy, and the most recent edition of their landmark book, Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month is an extremely detailed treasure trove of information.

The book is broken down by month, starting with pre-pregnancy concerns and then covering what parents can possibly expect during every month of pregnancy. This includes the baby’s growth and development, healthy eating, staying active, prenatal testing and treatments, managing discomforts, and so much more. Parents will also find plenty of information about planning for the birth and early postpartum period. Later sections of the book focus on the more medical aspects of pregnancy: multiples, birth defects, obesity, vaccines, and various high-risk factors.

Considering the authors, it’s not surprising that this is a very medically inclined book, and as such it’s not as user-friendly as many other pregnancy books on the market. It also leans heavily toward a more medicalized pregnancy and birth process, which might not appeal to natural-minded expecting parents who prefer to minimize testing and interventions. Regardless, there’s no denying that this is one of the most medically up-to-date books available right now, and many parents will take comfort in having the advice of doctors available right at their fingertips.